Jing yi wui long

Hong Kong film have went low for quite a long time during a lot of reasons. The New titles is either completely commercial or not even care about how the box office perform.

The Sparring Partner, however, seems to find a way between them. It gave a shot on the commercial performance while reserving its authenticity.

The director's work is amazing, apparently he have learned a lot of techniques from the TVB related shows, which makes the film could successfully send out the excitement whenever the audience start to get bored.

I found this film interesting and it it really precious for the domestic Hong Kong film Market now.

The Sparring Partner (2022)

Ambitious HK courtroom drama about a real life murder case. Back in 2013, skillful manipulator Henry Cheung murdered and dismembered his parents with the help of a dim-witted accomplice named Angus Tong.

The film's main source of intrigue stems from Cheung and Tong's relationship, and from Tong's involvement in the crime. In what capacity was he responsible for the murders, and was he simply a victim of Cheung's manipulation or more than that? All this and more is discussed throughout the film. We're presented facts through courtroom scenes and jury meetings, but there are numerous flashbacks and fantasy scenes as well, mostly based around Cheung. As the film progresses, questions start to arise around Tong and his presence becomes more prominent. New details are revealed and perspectives presented.

However, all this wasn't quite as involving as I was hoping it would be. I felt rather disconnected from everything onscreen, perhaps as it was intended, but I felt it was detrimental to the film's quality. I believe the runtime was too long (2 hrs and 17 mins) and, while the opening was gripping, the rest wasn't that great. Don't get me wrong, the story is sufficiently thought-provoking and I wasn't bored in any sense of that word. The constant jumping through different perspectives, along with a few false notes (like the aforementioned fantasy scenes, or gory mutilations that felt a bit out of place) prevented me from totally immersing myself into the story. As a result, I couldn't appreciate everything the film does right, and there's quite a lot of that.

I would recommend the film to people who appreciate courtroom dramas, as it definitely checks all the boxes in the genre while being more ambitious than an average entry. However, be prepared for its imposing length and don't be surprised if it starts feeling stretched too thin.

This film tells the story of a trial on Hong Kong, where two men are accused of murder of the parents of one of the accused.

"The Sparring Partner" maintains intensity throughout the film. It makes you want to see what will happen in the end. It keeps you guessing whether the accused are innocent or guilty. I'm impressed by the level of data collection in this film. They even know the names of the relevant psychiatrists in real life in Hong Kong. The psychiatrist names are very similar to the real life psychiatrists who they have referred to, so they really did their research. Overall, I think this is a good court thriller.

The Sparring Partner is a thought-provoking courtroom thriller that perpetually spins the table with shifting perspectives. It starts as a murder trial story and expands into a rich compelling cross-sectional look at Hong Kong society.

Based on a 2013 Hong Kong murder trial, Henry Cheung and Angus Tong, are taken to trial for the murder of the former's parents, Cheung Kuen Kwai and Shiu Suet Yee.

Yeung Wai Lun and Mak Pui Tung give tremendous debut performances. Yeung plays Henry as a fact like a normal person living and breathing before you and is never theatrically scary like a movie psychopath. What's brilliant is how Yeung blurs the lines of what a psychopath is. Is Henry Cheung a psychopath with zero empathy or is he just trying to be?

The cast all bring a stark realism. Mak Pui Tung was mesmerizing as the mentally-disabled Angus, always mentally lagging and overwhelmed without overdoing it. Jan Lamb's apathetic matter-of-fact lawyer is the complete 180 from the typical movie lawyer who believes in their client. It's funny in a cheeky way when you think of how often lawyers are romanticized.

The Sparring Partner stylistically combines cinema verité, documentary reenactment, and a courtroom drama all in one. The story is meticulously layered, effortlessly weaving between killer Henry Cheung's subconscious mind, alternating viewpoints of his family members, and the jury judging his actions on society's behalf.

Using this kaleidoscopic structure, director Ho Cheuk-Tin extends the film from a true crime account to a societal look at traditional parenting, generational clash, and social class. Through the 9 jury members, the discussion between the old and new generations, male and female, and young and elderly, the case becomes a reflective commentary on Hong Kong itself.

Henry Cheung blames his parents for his misery and lack of life skills. They forced him to learn the piano despite his lack of interest and sent him to school in Australia where he was subjected to racial bullying. Henry's gambling debts led his parents to purchase a real estate property for his brother, which instigated his plan to murder them.

Was this tragedy caused by one man's psychosis, his unfortunate upbringing by his parents or society itself?

The cinematography shows its budgetary restraints but makes up for it twofold with creative visuals. The jury discussions are visualized as the 9 members witnessing the crime happen before them. Also, the portions when we glimpse into Henry's twisted imagination, which I won't spoil here, are darkly spectacular.

The Sparring Partner is one of the best films of 2022 and undoubtedly the best Hong Kong film of 2022. I expect acting, writing and directing nominations come awards season.

The Sparring Partner is a 2022 Hong Kong crime drama film directed by Ho Cheuk-tin and starring Yeung Wai-lun, Mak Pui-tung, and Michael Chow. The film is based on the true story of Henry Cheung and Angus Tse, who were convicted of murdering Cheung's parents in 2013.

The film is set in Hong Kong and follows the trial of Cheung and Tse. The film is told from the perspective of the jurors, who are tasked with deciding the fate of the two men. The film is a slow-paced and deliberate legal drama that focuses on the complex legal arguments and the moral dilemmas that the jurors face.

The film is well-acted and well-directed, but it is ultimately a very ordinary court drama. There is nothing special about the film that sets it apart from other films of its genre. The film is not particularly suspenseful or exciting, and it does not offer any new insights into the criminal justice system.

If you are looking for a gripping legal drama, then The Sparring Partner is not the film for you. However, if you are looking for a well-made and well-acted film that tells a true story, then The Sparring Partner may be worth watching.

Overall, I would give The Sparring Partner a 6 out of 10. It is a well-made and well-acted film, but it is ultimately a very ordinary court drama.